High-value catalytic converters believed to have been stolen from cars over the last few weeks has been recovered by Harborough police

A load of high-value catalytic converters believed to have been stolen from cars over the last few weeks has been recovered by Harborough police.

Officers spotted 27 of them stacked up as they patrolled around the village of Ullesthorpe, near Lutterworth, on Wednesday night (November 18.

They also recovered an Audi car believed to be linked to the local mini-crime spree.

Police are now trying to track down the thieves behind the catalogue of crimes.

Environmentally-crucial catalytic converters (CATs) are a vital component of a car’s exhaust system – and are worth a lot of money.

They are located under the car, attached to the exhaust pipe.

A catalytic converter cleans up dangerous gases before they leave the exhaust pipe.

Catalytic converter theft has soared all over the East Midlands as well as the entire UK because they are easy to steal – and are made of precious metals.

A catalytic converter contains palladium, platinum and rhodium.

Palladium is worth up to £1,400 an ounce, platinum about £700 per ounce and rhodium about £4,000.